Ask yourself....when you hear the phrase "a good public servant", what is the first thing that comes to mind? It would appear that some people mistakenly seem to believe that a "public servant" is the same as what was once referred to in Barbados as a "domestic servant", who works taking care of someone else's home....nothing is further from the truth. What we do know though, is that many Bajans are crying out for better service from the island's many "public servants". In this case, public servant is simply referring to the many government workers who have been hired to render a particular service on behalf of the government. Is it wrong then for the people to expect exemplary service from their "public servants"...especially when it is their money, in the form of taxes, which pays the salary of every public servant? In my humble opinion, and from what I have determined from feedback from a disgruntled electorate, the answer is a resounding NO!
Not only are Bajans in Barbados complaining about the less-than-exemplary service afforded by our fellow "public servants, including employees in many business establishments, but Bajans in the Diaspora feel that "it is time" these employees and others who render customer service to the general population treat them as though they matter. This is not to imply that Bajans in the Diaspora want Bajans in Barbados to "cow-tow" to them; they just expect to be treated with respect, period!
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Overall, Bajans in the Diaspora tend to feel marginalized by how they are treated by Barbadians in Barbados. "We want them to know we are not a threat in any way and that we have every right to be treated with respect and inclusion in matters concerning Barbados." This statement was made by the head of one of the biggest charitable organizations in North America, whose goal is to raise funds for Barbadians, mainly in Barbados; particularly establishment of care and societies who cater to children.
In highlighting the important work they do to assist fellow Bajans in need, representatives from the Barbadian Association of Charitable Organizations of New Jersey, the umbrella organization for a number of smaller Barbados-associated organizations, has expressed concerns over the treatment they have received from certain establishments in Barbados, as they have attempted to offer assistancein one way or the other. Mr. Durant, BACONJ representative, stated that they have endured 'LESS THAN APPRECIATIVE behavior by the recipients of aid. "We literally have had to beg institutions of care, such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital administrators to send representatives to receive new, donated medical equipment. In one instance, the administrator, who knew in advance, that we were sending three representatives to deliver new and crucial medical equipment, such as Wheelchairs and Medical Equipment for the Children's Wing, including Diagnostic equipment for patients in general, actually had taken the day off when the representatives showed up to present these gifts. "Here it is that three representatives from our organization incurred the costs to personally make the trip from New Jersey to Barbados...AND NO ONE SHOWED UP TO RECEIVE!" Mr. Durant said. It so happened that the representatives were forced to contact notable persons in Barbados to ask that they come and facilitate the delivery. This kind of ingratitude and disrespect is unconscionable. These organizations are simply GIVING BACK to Barbados and have decided to bring this persistent concern to light; as they would like to continue donating to Barbadian causes and encourage other charitable organizations to do the same!
In a separate instance, says Mr. Durant, BACONJ delivered Ipads and other gifts, in person, to several graduating students from Bay Primary. The organization arranged for a special graduation ceremony at the Hilton this past July, yet to this day, a simple acknowledgement or Thank You note has not been received by the organization, even though they wrote the school's principal to request that a letter, which they had intended to included in the Program for their yearly September Fundraising Dinner Dance, as a way of motivating their member clubs and organizations.....This is now January, and Mr. Durant says they are still waiting for this acknowledgement letter. He also stated that BACONJ would like to continue doing charitable work for Barbadians; however, the recipients of the aid they provide simply need to cooperate.
As for me, I am hoping that in 2017 Barbadian service providers in all capacities of work will endeavor to give professional and respectful service and treatment....and that it will be extended to Bajans in the Diaspora, who they tend to feel sidelined because "we don't live there". This "Who do you think you are?" kind of attitude towards Bajans in the Diaspora only continues to placea divide among Bajans, who should be coming together to mutually uplift Barbados and to keep money flowing in to help maintain our economy. In my personal experience, I was privy to some of that indifference by a major employee from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade...the office whose job it is to forge relationships with people outside of Barbados, including Bajans in the Diaspora. It would appear that the lack of respect that low level government workers seem to give the Prime Minister is because they maintain a sense of entitlement to their positions; so that whether or not someone with the title of Prime Minister does not move them in the least, as evidence by their choice to ignore the Prime Minister's directives outright and, in my case, to string me along while pretending to adhere to the Prime Minister's request. I was literally blocked from meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs by her secretary on a very important matter. The disregard for my valuable time, and the lack of proper respect from this lady requires that I not remain silent, but instead shed light on the need for proper interaction with the public.
Bajans, we have to endeavor to be more helpful and to each other and for the good of the nation. Let's make 2017 the year we start doing so.
